BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi soccer fan shot dead a player of the opposing team as he tried to score an equalizing goal in the final minutes of a match, police said on Monday.

The shooting on Saturday in Hilla, 100 km (60 miles) south of Baghdad, during a match between local teams, underscored the country's propensity to lawlessness even as violence by militant groups falls to lows not seen since mid-2003.

"As soon as Haider Kadhim (the player) was alone in front of the goalkeeper and close to equalizing, a fan in the crowd fired a pistol at him," a senior police officer in Hilla, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

"We arrested this fan immediately but unfortunately the player died."

Iraqis love soccer and have often expressed hope the game would help reconcile warring ethnic groups and sects.

Iraq's surprise victory in the 2007 Asian Cup brought rare joy and unity to the shattered nation, with Shi'ites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds pouring into the streets to celebrate their team's 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the Jakarta final.

This really is pathetic knowing that there's people in iraq trying to build a better image for themselves yet some @##$@ jihadist believes he has the right to make a play of his own and make things worse then they are already.

Next thing you know they'll be banned from all social and global events to prevent this from happening again.

EDIT:kinda late I guess, I forgot what week it was.

ShadyCroft

21-03-09, 17:39

Oh my, that's terrible. :( Seriously, I wonder what the "fan" was thinking.

May the player rest in peace ! Shame he passed away like that, all of a sudden, no real preparation, and having done nothing to deserve it.